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jimsumner
10-10-2011, 05:14 PM
From Duke press release

"Former Duke football letterman and assistant coach Doug Knotts passed away last week in Port St. Joe, Fla. He was 77.

A native of Albemarle, N.C., Knotts lettered three seasons (1953-54-55) as a lineman at Duke under Hall of Fame head coach Bill Murray, helping the Blue Devils to a record of 22-6-3 with three ACC Championships. Following graduation, Knotts served as an assistant football coach at Duke (1956-64), Tennessee (1965-69), Florida (1970-78) and Colorado (1979-81).

Knotts graduated from Duke in 1957 with a degree in sociology. In 1994, he returned to his alma mater where he served as administrative assistant in the football office through the 2000 season. Knotts was inducted into the Stanly (N.C.) County Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Born July 29, 1934, Knotts is survived by his wife, Patsy, and two children, John and Katy. Knotts had three brothers earn varsity football letters at Duke – Don (1949-50), Ernie (1943-44-45-46) and James (1947-48-49). "
Reilly
10-11-2011, 06:45 AM
His nephew Tommy Knotts also played for Duke (and coached), right?

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/022504aab.html
Olympic Fan
10-11-2011, 10:55 AM
His nephew Tommy Knotts also played for Duke (and coached), right?

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/022504aab.html

Right ... the Knotts family has a strong connection to Duke. The oldest brither, Ernie "Bear" Knotts was an All-American.

Got to know Doug when Coach Goldsmith brought him in as an administrative assistant (he stayed on through Coach Franks). Fine man. Dorry to see him go.
chrishoke
10-11-2011, 11:16 AM
RIP. Go Duke! Let's beat FSU and honor Doug!
sagegrouse
10-11-2011, 11:26 AM
Right ... the Knotts family has a strong connection to Duke. The oldest brither, Ernie "Bear" Knotts was an All-American.

Got to know Doug when Coach Goldsmith brought him in as an administrative assistant (he stayed on through Coach Franks). Fine man. Dorry to see him go.

I remember Coach Knotts from back when the assistant coaches coached PE. At the beginning of the year, they had a physical aptitude test for each freshman PE class (75-100 students), including standing broad jump, shuttle race, dips, situps, and other tortures. And then they would put you in a line from highest to lowest and assign you to an A, B, or C group. Two of the football players in my class ended up as C's. And although they were exempt from PE as varsity athletes, Coach Knotts gave them total grief about it. Good guy and a lot of fun.

sagegrouse
'I also had Bucky Waters, Bob Cox and Fred Shabel as PE coaches. A different era in college sports'
Devilsfan
10-11-2011, 11:45 AM
Tom Knotts was a players coach while an assistant at Duke and is one of the best H.S. coaches in North Carolina.
dukeman28428
10-12-2011, 09:41 AM
Am so sorry to read about Doug's passing. We were neighbors at the beach for a few years and had good fun with Doug and Patsy. He has been in declining health for awhile but he never complained and always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Doug was a good man and will be missed. RIP Doug.....job well done.